The St. Patrick’s Day Party Guide

Did you know that Pittsburgh is home to the 2nd largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world? The legacy runs deep – from the large population of Pittsburgh residents with an Irish heritage to the Rooneys and their tight connection to our city’s beloved Steelers – it’s easy to see why it’s hard not to get behind being Irish during this time of year. Whether you’re a parade-goer or fan of the aftermath, we’ve got something for you to do every step of the way this Saturday.

Whether you’re getting up early to host a kegs & eggs or sleeping in, make sure you’re downtown in time for the parade, which starts at 10AM. A map of the parade route can be found on Google. There’s also an official tee this year, which can be yours for only $10. The Trib is selling the tee online and it can also be purchased at Mike Feinberg, Yinzers and the Black and Gold store in the Strip District; Hometown Sports in Station Square; S&S Tobacco & Candy on Carson Street; and the gift shop at West Penn Allegheny Hospital on the North Side, with new locations added often!

Most people hop between Market Square and the parade route while downtown. If you’re looking to go off the beaten path, Meat and Potatoes in the Cultural District is hosting a special event on their patio starting at 9AM featuring Irish-inspired street food, drafts, whiskey, hot cocktails and tunes from DJ Outtareach.

After the parade, the general consensus is to head over to Station Square or the South Side and inhabit one of the many bars you can find along the way. With the recent crackdown on craziness in the South Side, Pittsburgh officials have taken certain measures to make things more safe from everyone. Free shuttle service will be provided between Second Avenue downtown and the South Side from noon to 4AM as part of a one-day pilot program. The shuttle will will run every 10 to 15 minutes and drop off and pick up at certain designated areas. There will be five taxi stands and 10 shuttle stops along the route. There were also be free parking at the Parking Authority’s Second Avenue parking lot at the 10th Street Bridge for Saturday and guests ARE permitted to leave their cars overnight if they get too intoxicated.

If you aren’t feeling up to the hustle and bustle of the South Side and Station Square, consider heading to the Strip District for Double Tapped, which begins at 10AM at Bar Marco and features Irish cuisine and five bands. The event heads to Fukuda in Bloomfield for a DJ and Japanese fare, allowing guests to continue partying from 4 to 9PM. This event is $10 and advance tickets can be purchased here.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed post-parade option or something to wind you down after a full morning and early afternoon of partying, Nied’s Hotel Bar in Lawrenceville is an often overlooked spot that has a great outdoor stage, friendly atmosphere, cheap drinks and good eats. They’ll be hosting fiddle tunes and Irish ballads from Slim O’Forsythe & Scratchy McHutter, among others, and is the perfect soundtrack for any drunk on St. Patrick’s Day. This event is free and starts at 4PM.